Public warned about sex offender's release

The public is being warned by police about the release of a convicted sex offender who is considered a high risk to re-offend.

Winston George Thomas, 35, is being released from Headingley Correctional Centre on Monday and expected to live in Winnipeg.

Females of all ages are at risk of sexual violence, stated a news release from the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit (MIHRSOU), a joint forces unit of the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP.

Thomas has a criminal record for sexual offences, assault, break and enter, and breach of probation.

In March 2007, Thomas and two other males met up with a 13-year-old girl at a shopping centre in Winnipeg. They took her to a residence where they drank liquor and smoked marijuana, the MIHRSOU release stated.

The girl was prevented from leaving and Thomas sexually assaulted her. He was arrested a short time later and sentenced to two years less a day.

Following his release from prison, he breached his probation and was sentenced to a further term in jail.

A month after being released again, Thomas committed a break and enter. He received an 18-month sentence and was released from Headingley Correctional Centre in February 2012.

On the same day, he was arrested and charged for breaching his probation order.

His release on Monday is from that sentence.

While in Headingley, Thomas took in some sex offender treatment programs but he is still considered a high risk to re-offend.

Upon his release, he will subject to probation supervision until Feb. 8, 2014.

"This information is provided to enable members of the public to take suitable measures to protect themselves. Any form of vigilante activity or other unreasonable conduct directed at Winston George Thomas will not be tolerated," stated the release from the MIHRSOU.

Anyone with information about Thomas who wishes to speak to a police officer, is asked to call the MIHRSOU at 204-984-1888.